General Santos

Climate

The average temperature in the city is 28° Celsius with a maximum of 36°C. There are only two seasons: the wet season starts in June and continues to October, the dry season then carries on to May. General Santos is outside the typhoon belt.

Culture

People from GenSan are mostly Roman Catholics. There are also a large number of Protestants and Muslims in the city. Every February, the city celebrates the Kalilangan Festival. And every September as also the celebration of the city chartered anniversary the Gensan Tuna Festival.

Cebuano is the main language spoken in General Santos City and the surrounding communities. Tagalog and English are spoken as the National Language.

By plane

• General Santos International AirportHas the third longest runway in the country. It has daily flights from Manila, Cebu and Iloilo.

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• Philippine Airlines
• Cebu Pacific.

There is a public Jeepney from the General Santos Airport to the bus terminal for . Walk out of the airport terminal and you see the Jeepneys in the car park.

By boat

General Santos Seaport no longer has ferry trips from Manila, Zamboanga, or Iloilo.
To get a ferry you must travel to Cagayan de Oro or Iligan City ports.

By bus

• Yellow Bus Lines - travels from Davao City, Koronadal City and the Upper Valley areas.
• Mindanao Star - travels from Davao City and Koronadal City.
• Rural Transit travels from Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro.
• Husky bus lines travels from Koronadal and Cotabato City.

There are also vans going from Glan (57 km) for . Takes one hour. The Van Terminal is next to the KCC mall. There are also big jeepneys going from Lagao Market going to Glan.
The a/c bus fare from General Santos to Koronadal is and takes 1½ hours.
The a/c bus fare on Mindanao Star or Yellow bus lines from General Santos to Davao costs . It takes up to 3 hours.
The Mindanao Star one-stop bus with aircon from Gensan to Davao costs and takes 3 hours.
The Yellow bus lines non-stop fare from Gensan to Davao is and takes 2½ hours.
There are 5 Rural Transit buses a day from General Santos going to Cagayan de Oro the last one departs at 7AM.
The bus fare from General Santos to Valencia Bukidnon is and the trip takes 7 hours.
After 7AM you can take a bus to CDO by going first too Tacurong city.
there are many buses from Tacurong going to Bukidnon and CDO.

Jeepneys, multi cabs and tricycles () are the main modes of transportation within the city. White air-conditioned taxis, with meters installed, are also available.

• Mount MatutumAn active volcano, approximately 5.7 km from Acmonan, Tupi, South Cotabato. Adjacent volcanic edifices are Landayao, Tampad, and Albulhek to the west of the volcano, and Magolo to the north. There is a well-preserved 320-m wide crater at the volcano's summit. The crater is breached by three gorges and has a 120-m deep, densely forested floor. The great view of Matutum is seen in Barangay Pagalungan, Polomolok, with some plantation of pineapples and Barangay Mabuhay and San Isidro in General Santos City.

• Klaja EcoparkAn ecological preservation park 15 km (9.3 mi) off the central business district on the north-east side of city in Barangay Conel. Klaja Karsts Land derived its name from “Kalaha” ("frying pot") as it looked like one due to the surrounding towers of karsts formation naturally formed millions of years ago. It produced natural waterfalls and caves. Opposite is the ranch and camping ground of Nopol Hills, which borders Barangays Conel and Mabuhay. Nopol Hills offers visitors a wide scenic overview of the entire city, as well as the Sarangani Bay and parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani Province.

• Gen. Paulino Santos Museum

  phone: +63 83 552-4351
  address: Marist Ave.
  In the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, it is the first formal museum in the city. It showcases the memorabilia of General Paulino Santos and the first settlers of the city who flocked to the area now known as General Santos City. It also features cultural artifacts of South Cotabato province.
• Several festivals' are also celebrated in General Santos. Among these festivals are:

• Kalilangan FestivalGeneral Santos City celebrates the Kalilangan every month of February. "Kalilangan" means festival, festivity or jubilation. It is a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, allies and subordinates in varying tones. In a broader perspective, Kalilangan projects a positive and dynamic meaning for it engulfs the artistic, humane and altruistic aspects of social interaction that takes place in any occasion or celebration. Kalilangan is a noble tradition. It is a complete work of art nourished and nurtured by rich cultural heritage that has withstand the test of time from generation to generation. The festival is being Spearheaded by the Mindanao State University upon which have garnered awards as the countries best native or local festival three years in succession.

• Tuna FestivalThanksgiving and festivities are being celebrated annually through its Tuna Festival during the Last week of August and the first week of September highlighting on its main industry which is the Tuna fishing. This is also in line with the celebration of the city's charter anniversary which falls every 5 September and is also being set as the culmination day for the Tuna Festival. Aside from parades and showcases, numerous culinary competitions are being held to promote sumptuous tuna-based cuisines and other delectable meals made from fresh sea food.

• Yaman GensanYaman Gensan is an annual event in Gensan that celebrates and promotes local entrepreneurs. It is celebrated in July. Tuna products, T'nalak, Malong and other tribal objects are shown and sold.

• Paskuhan sa GensanThe city celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, in this event. It is celebrates from December 17 to the countdown of New Year, Colorful lanterns, giant Christmas tree and Gensan Barangay Christmas House competition are in the event as are Paskuhan sa Gensan Street Dancing, choir group and Christmas Dance.

• Sto. Nino Patronal FiestaThis one-day celebration in the city is celebrated every 15th of January. It is the same as the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City. Colorful amphibians, Sr. Santo Nino's Grotto and street dancing. This annual and patronal festival is celebrating in Barangay Bula.

• Diving at south divers point
• Beach at Gumasa, 120 minutes away from General Santos
• Golf

• Sarangani Golf Club

• Kalasangi Golf Club

Shopping malls & supermarkets

• Fitmart Gensan Supermarket

  address: Downtown Proper, Roxas West

• Gaisano Mall & Gaisano Supermarket.

  address: J. Catolico St., Lagao beside SOCOTECO II-Gensan

• KCC Mall of Gensan

  address: J. Catolico St., Lagao GSC
  Has a KCC supermarket.

• Robinsons Place Gensan & Robinsons Supermarket

  address: Bula - Lagao Road, Lagao GSC

• SM City General Santos & Savemore supermarket

  address: Santiago Blvd., Lagao GSC

• Unitop Department Store

  address: Magsaysay Avenue

Tuna is widely available in the city and is a part of the local cuisine along with a lot of other fresh seafood. Popular dishes include grilled tuna belly dipped in soy sauce with onions and chili, and Sinuglaw that comprises grilled meat mixed with Kinilaw (Filipino vinegar-based ceviche), while fried banana and turón is made from fresh local bananas. A wide range of dining establishments have popped up elsewhere in the city offering local and foreign cuisine.

• Pahayahay Restobar

  phone: +63 83-5520187
  Good music, great food, reggae feel.

• Bee Stop Restaurant

  address: Santiago Boulevard GSC
  A place where the best garlic, buttered and fried chicken can be found.

• Sarangani Highlands

  address: Tambler, General Santos City

• Fagioli

  address: Petron Gasoline Station, Jose Catolico Ave., Lagao
  if you just want to relax & have coffee. ideal time to visit will be during mid-afternoons when it isn't crowded. nice ambiance. bring along your laptop as the whole place is WI-FI enabled.

• Chicken Hauz

  address: South Osmeña
  Very casual atmosphere but if you try out their famous "garlic chicken", you will crave more.

• Mang Gorio's Bahay Kainan

  address: National Highway

• Paseo del Sol

  address: National Highway

• Ranchero

  address: National Highway

• La Veranda

  address: National Highway

• Grab-A-Crab

  address: Laurel East Ave.

• Orange Bistro

  address: Jose Catolico Ave., Lagao

• Casa Goatan

  phone: +63 83 5524199
  address: Bulaong Subdivision

• KCC Mall of Gensan Merienda Buffet

  address: Kcc Mall. J Catolico Street
  All you can eat.
• Containeryard Foodtrip Plaza, National Highway, Brgy. Lagao. More than 25 stalls serving varied local and international menus.

• Lanai1687

  address: Km 1687 on Glan highway from GSC
  A beautifully landscaped place in Barangay Kapatan. Looks out over Sarangani Bay, Mt. Matutum & GenSan in the distance. Steaks, prawns & other seafoods, Filipino dishes are on the menu.

• bee stop chicken house

  address: santiago boulevard
  Bee Stop is serving a delicious garlic chicken. Also available: buttered and fried chicken.

• Goldenstate College Cafeteria, Bakeshoppe and Catering Service

  phone: +63 83 554 5545
  address: Pioneer Ave corner Acharon Boulevard
  Food center, bakery, and catering service.

• Rolands Steak House

  address: Jose Catolico Ave. Lagao
  Rolands serve the very best steak in the whole of GenSan city. Well worth a visit. Casual atmosphere but the service is good.

• Nelsons Market

  address: General Santos City
  Good seafood and tuna

• Janna's Inasal de Cebu

  address: National Highway, General Santos City
  Excellent lechon.

• Tatay Pepe's Restobar

  phone: +63 83 3022555
  address: along Laurel East Street
  Enjoy live entertainment nightly, rain or shine- beginning 9:30PM to 1AM with acoustic modern, alternative and contemporary music and a little bit of love songs.

• Marasa Grill

  phone: +63 83 552-4628
  address: #41 Kadulasan St.
  Marasa Grill serves lutong bahay and grilled meat and seafood. It also accepts catering for all occasions. It is open for breakfast and lunch.

• Blugre Coffee

  address: JMP Bldg, S. Osmena Street
  The atmosphere is very comfortable with jazz music. Good desserts and light meals to go with espresso coffees, teas, iced-blended drinks, and excellent fresh-squeezed lemonade.

• Big Ben's

  address: Robinson's Mall
  Known for delicious steak, there are also many local options of good Filipino food. A very nice atmosphere with warm service.

Budget

• Leas Pension House

  phone: +63 83 3010055
  address: Champaca and Rambutan Streets
  Has 40 rooms. Small single fan rooms with own bathroom. Single A/C rooms with own bathroom. A/C double rooms with own bathroom. all rooms have cable TV.

• Matutum Hotel

  phone: +63 83-552-4901
  address: P Acharon Boulevard
  62 fan and a/c rooms with own bathrooms.

• DSWD Dormitory

  address: Roxas East Aveune
  Fan dorm beds.

• UCCP Christian Center

  phone: +63 83-301-9181
  address: 32 Munasque Street
  Fan dorm beds.

• Jeds Haven

  phone: +63 83-301-0282
  address: Rambutan Street
  A/C single/double rooms with own bathrooms and cable TV.

• Limelily Pension

  phone: +63 83-5542027, +63 9228212750
  address: 60 Sampaguita Street Purok Bagong Silang
  Rather far from downtown, this place has small fan and a/c double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV.

• Residencia Heneral Travelers Inn

  phone: +63 83 5521125, +63 9228420103
  address: R D Bldg Pioneer Avenue
  Not so clean fan double rooms with outside bathroom. A/C double outside bathroom. All rooms are good for two persons. Free Wi-fi.

• Princefield Express Inn

  phone: +6 9285213986, +63 83 5522258
  address: Marcos Avenue
  A/C double rooms with cable TV and own bathroom.

• La Mirada Travelers Inn

  phone: +63 9494098593
  address: Pukok 19 National Highway San Vicente Lagao
  Big very clean a/c double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. Has free Wi-Fi in all rooms. sells breakfasts and drinks.

• Renshani Inn

  phone: +63 9985402524
  address: Puork 19 National Highway San Vicente Lagao
  Fan double rooms with own bathrooms and TV. A/C double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. All rooms have free Wi-Fi. Has a nice garden.

• Kalilangan Travellers Inn

  phone: +63 83 3025178
  address: Ragah Moda Bula GSC
  A/C double rooms with own bathrooms.

• Dolores Hotel

  phone: +63 83-5524139, +63 9175214659
  address: Santiago Boulevard
  Single non air-conditioned standard room.

• Green Bee Square Inn

  phone: +63 83 5543766
  address: papaya street
  A/C double room with own bathroom and cable TV. Has a nice garden to sit in.

• Alca Suites & Pension House

  address: Diamond Street Munda Subdivision
  Double A/C room with own bathroom, cable TV and free Wi-Fi.

Mid-range

• East Asia Royale Hotel

  address: National Highway, General Santos City

• Sydney Hotel

  address: Pendatun Ave

• MLoft Business Hotel

  phone: +63 83-5543833
  address: Salvani St. (between Aparente and Mabuhay Rd.)
  Hotel in a quiet but accessible location, provides ample parking, wheel-chair friendly.

• Bureau of Immigration General Santos Office Ground floor Robinsons Mall. J Catolico Sr Avenue.
• General Santos District Hospital. Fernandez Street. +63 83-3020759. Government Hospital.
• General Santos Social Hygiene Clinic City Health office. Fernandez Street. +63 83-3020759. Free STD-HIV testing.
• Generika Drug Store Nunez Street.

• Davao city is a 3-hour bus ride.
• Koronadal is a 1-hour bus ride.
• Glan can be visited as a day trip from Gensan (57 km).